PM Harper 'optimistic' medal drought will end
Last Updated: Thursday, August 14, 2008 | 10:22 AM ET
CBC Sports
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is optimistic Canada will soon end its medal drought at the Beijing Games.
Canada has been shut out of the medals at the Summer Olympics through Day 6, while countries such as Togo, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have already made it to the medal podium.
Canada's prime minister isn't ready to give up on the country's Olympians, though.
"Let's see how our athletes do as the events progress," Harper said Thursday while fielding questions after a funding announcement in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"I gather we have more medal hopes coming up in the back half of the Games. We'll remain optimistic and obviously cheer for everyone who wears the Maple Leaf."
Harper's comments come after he came under scrutiny for not attending the Summer Games. Instead, Foreign Minister David Emerson headed Canada's official delegation.
Funding will eventually boost performance, PM says
Despite Harper's optimism about Canada's medal potential, there is growing frustration amongst Canadians, who want to know why their athletes haven't managed a top-three finish.
Some Canadians competing in China have suggested that if Canada wants more medals, it should invest more in sports funding.
Harper told reporters his government has increased funding for sports, but that it will take time to see the results.
"I'm told by people who are experts in this particular field there is a fair degree of lag between the amount of commitment you put into athletic development and the results. It's many years hence that you actually see the results of the increased funding that we've put in," Harper said.
